Your face is consistently bombarded by environmental factors, as well as the internal workings of your body. Facial skin can be exposed to harsh conditions, bacteria, dirt, oils and irritants that can contribute to the development of undesirable facial skin conditions.
Acne
Acne is one of the most common facial skin problems. An estimated 40 to 50 million Americans deal with acne in the United States, according the American Academy of Dermatology. Acne occurs when excess sebum oil on the skin combines with dead skin cells to create a soft plug referred to as a comedone. Comedones are referred to as blackheads when the plug forms close enough to the surface of the skin to be exposed to air and turn black, or whiteheads when the plug forms deeper in the skin where air cannot reach it. Acne can vary in severity from blackheads and whiteheads to bacterially infected inflammatory acne, such as pustules, nodules or cysts.
Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, consists of areas of itchy inflammation that can occur on the skin of your face. Eczema is a chronic condition that often occurs in conjunction with dry skin and a malfunction of your immune system, states the Mayo Clinic. Although eczema is a chronic condition, it can vary in severity and flare up on contact with allergens, or with stress and emotional disorders.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that can manifest on your facial skin. Psoriasis causes your immune system to send out signals that accelerate the growth of skin cells. This overgrowth of cells manifests itself on the face as red splotches and scaly buildup of rough skin. Psoriasis is a common condition that affects an estimated 7.5 million people in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a fungus that can thrive on the skin of the face. It is not caused by worms or parasites, but by the tinea corporis fungus. Ringworm appears on the face as raised and itchy patches of scales and redness, which often form rings on the affected tissue. Ringworm is contagious through skin-to-skin contact, or by coming into contact with infected animals.
Age Spots
Age spots, also known as liver spots, occur both with age or with too much unprotected exposure to the sun. Age spots appear when the skin produces too much of the pigment melanin. Melanin is the substance that gives your skin its color. The excess melanin clumps together on the surface, creating brown or black spots of hyperpigmentation. Most age spots are harmless, but they can be a precursor of cancer or full-blown melanoma, so any new spots should be looked at by your doctor.
Wrinkles
Wrinkles are an unavoidable condition of the aging of the skin. Wrinkles form when the body slows its production of important fibers called collagen and elastin, which are responsible for keeping the skin tight and flexible. As the level of these fibers diminishes, the skin becomes thin and saggy, resulting in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Unprotected exposure to the sun can speed up the wrinkling process through photoaging.
